UAE bans cows, beef products from Japan

A ban was slapped yesterday on imports of cows and beef products from Japan into the UAE following the news that cases of mad cow disease have been detected there.

Saeed Mohammed Al Raqabani, Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, yesterday issued a decision banning the import of cows, its products, sperm and embryos from Japan.

The decision came after the ministry received information from the Paris-based International Plague Office that cases of mad cow disease had been detected in Japan.

The decision also follows the ministry's keen interest to prevent infectious animal diseases, especially those affecting humans, from being brought into the country, a statement said.